May 14, 2012

Brees, Loomis Have July 16 Deadline

The negotiations for a new long-term contract for Saints QB Drew Brees have a deadline of July 16.

Past that date, the sides will not be able to sign a new long-term deal. At that point, Drew Brees and other franchise tagged players like Bears RB Matt Forte and Steelers WR Mike Wallace can choose to hold out of training camp, preseason, and all but the final six games of the regular season.

Brees has not reported to the offseason conditioning program and is not expected to report to the team's Organized Team Activities starting on May 22.

After July 16, Brees will either sign the tag offer and play under that one-year contract, or not sign and not play.

Regarding the OTA's, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr. said today: "Obviously we’re going to miss the leadership he brings, but this is going to be an opportunity for Chase [Daniel] and Sean [Canfield] to get more reps and get a good look at those guys.”

Regarding the contract negotiations, interim head coach Joe Vitt commented today: "This is going to get done. I don't think anyone thought this was going to be easy.”